BENIN CITY — Primary healthcare delivery in Edo State has received a major boost following the implementation of the World Bank-supported Immunization Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) Project, with facility-based deliveries recording over 100 per cent increase since the intervention became fully operational in 2024.
Dr. Coulson Oahimire Osoikhia, Executive Secretary of the Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), disclosed this while unveiling the project’s far-reaching impact on the state’s healthcare system.
According to Osoikhia, the initiative has revitalised 61 Primary Healthcare Centres across the three senatorial districts and extended support to 146 healthcare facilities with essential drugs, medical commodities, immunisation outreach activities, and critical infrastructural upgrades.
In a significant stride toward modernising healthcare administration, the project has facilitated the procurement and distribution of over 200 laptops and tablets to health facilities across the state. Monitoring and evaluation officers have also been trained to enhance data collection, reporting, and evidence-based decision-making.
“We are witnessing improved service delivery in immunisation, with outreach activities becoming more targeted and reaching more communities across the state,” Osoikhia said.
The project has also addressed the critical shortage of skilled maternal care providers through the deployment of 192 Skilled Birth Attendants (SBAs) to health facilities statewide.
“The deployment of Skilled Birth Attendants has significantly improved maternal and newborn healthcare outcomes. More women are now delivering in healthcare facilities under the care of trained professionals, which is helping to reduce preventable maternal and infant health complications,” he stated.
In another landmark development, malaria testing and treatment are now provided free of charge in all 146 IMPACT-supported health facilities. Healthcare workers have received comprehensive training to ensure quality service delivery across all participating centres.
The Executive Secretary noted that the intervention has particularly benefited hard-to-reach communities through targeted outreach programmes designed to expand immunisation coverage and ensure no child is left behind.
Osoikhia emphasised that the gains recorded under the IMPACT Project complement the broader healthcare reform agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration, which has prioritised access to quality primary healthcare for all residents.
“Our commitment is to sustain these gains and ensure that communities across Edo State continue to enjoy access to quality primary healthcare services,” he affirmed.
The World Bank-supported initiative represents one of the most comprehensive primary healthcare interventions in Edo State’s history, combining infrastructure development, workforce strengthening, digital innovation, and free essential services to transform health outcomes at the grassroots level.
The IMPACT Project demonstrates how strategic partnerships between state governments and international development institutions can deliver measurable improvements in public health outcomes. The 100 per cent increase in facility deliveries is particularly significant, as skilled attendance during childbirth remains one of the most effective interventions for reducing maternal and infant mortality.